22. to give thee . . . understanding— Daniel 8:16; Daniel 8:26 shows that the symbolical vision had not been understood. God therefore now gives "information" directly, instead of by symbol, which required interpretation. read more
23. At the beginning of thy supplications, c.—The promulgation of the divine decree was made in heaven to the angels as soon as Daniel began to pray. came forth—from the divine throne so Daniel 9:22. thou art greatly beloved—literally, "a man of desires" (compare Ezekiel 23:6; Ezekiel 23:12); the object of God's delight. As the apocalyptic prophet of the New Testament was "the disciple whom Jesus loved," so the apocalyptic prophet of the Old Testament was "greatly beloved" of God. the... read more
Daniel again saw Gabriel, whom he had met previously (Daniel 8:16). He was obviously an angel. The description "the man Gabriel" is a play on words and probably means "the servant, the strong one of the strong God." The Hebrew word ish (man) often appears as a description of a servant. [Note: Leupold, p. 400.] "Note that the term ha’is (’the man’) does not signify ’man’ in contradistinction to angels or other spiritual powers residing in heaven; that would have been ’adam or ’enos in Hebrew. It... read more
4. God’s response to Daniel’s prayer 9:20-23God began responding to Daniel’s prayer as soon as he began praying (cf. Daniel 9:19; Luke 11:10-13). Clearly, the prayer recorded in the preceding verses is only a summary of what the prophet prayed, since he prayed long and hard (Daniel 9:21). read more
Daniel’s concern for God’s reputation (Daniel 9:4-14) doubtless made him special to God (Daniel 9:23). The vision that God had sent Gabriel to convey constituted an answer to Daniel’s prayer. It revealed what would happen to the Jews."For the first time in the book Daniel’s initiative occasions a revelation." [Note: Baldwin, p. 162.] read more
The Seventy WeeksIn the first year of Darius the Mede, Daniel, studying the prophetical books, finds that Jeremiah has predicted that the desolation of Jerusalem will last for seventy years (Daniel 9:1-2). He prays, confessing the great sin of Israel, and entreating God to have mercy on His people (Daniel 9:3-19), Thereupon the angel Gabriel explains to him (Daniel 9:20-24) that Jeremiah’s seventy years are seventy ’weeks,’ or ’sevens,’ of years (=490 years), which are to be made up of (7+62+1)... read more
(20) Whiles I was speaking.—The answer to Daniel’s prayer. He had not even finished his prayer when the answer came. The angel Gabriel, whom he had seen (Daniel 8:16), comes to him, and reveals to him the mystery of the seventy weeks. read more
(21) Being caused to fly swiftly.—A very difficult expression, occurring only here. The Authorised Version follows the LXX. and Theodotion. The rendering has been defended on the ground that the word translated “swiftly” comes from a root meaning “to fly.” and is literally rendered by flight. Thus “caused to fly in flight” means “caused to fly swiftly.” The marginal version “with weariness” finds supporters, and, if adopted, must be taken to refer to the bodily condition of Daniel (Daniel... read more
(22) He informed me—i.e., gave me understanding (as Daniel 9:2, Daniel 8:16). The angel gave Daniel understanding in the perplexing words of Jeremiah, showing him that what affected his people was a period of seventy weeks that were yet to come, rather than seventy years which were already passed. read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Daniel 9:21
21. I had seen in the vision at the beginning—namely, in the former vision by the river Ulai (Daniel 8:1; Daniel 8:16). fly swiftly—literally, "with weariness," that is, move swiftly as one breathless and wearied out with quick running [GESENIUS]. English Version is better (Isaiah 6:2; Ezekiel 1:6; Revelation 14:6). time of . . . evening oblation—the ninth hour, three o'clock (compare Revelation 14:6- :). As formerly, when the temple stood, this hour was devoted to sacrifices, so now to prayer.... read more